Foremost

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Foremost" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the most important or primary thing in a list or discussion. Example: "Foremost among our priorities is ensuring the safety of our employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

First and foremost, there is the need for a comprehensive spending review for 2011/12 onwards.

The Guardian

Recurring issues of unemployment, job insecurity and low pay were also foremost on voter's minds.

The Guardian

The judge's findings led to Lawrie's demise as opposition leader and Wyvill, one of the NT's foremost silks and a known Labor supporter, resigned as president of the bar association.

The Guardian

Recalling his journalistic mentor, former Times editor Charlie Wilson, the brilliant Matthew Parris once said: "Charlie, foremost among others, instilled in me the understanding that journalism is a trade, not an art or a work of genius.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I would become, first and foremost, my husband's wife.

The Guardian - Books

For the second year in a row, a young American whistleblower alarmed at the unfettered and at times cynical deployment of power by the world's foremost superpower has been voted the Guardian's person of the year.

The Guardian

Related: Empire: the outrageous black family drama that's changing the look of US TV There are other reasons to cut the show loose, first and foremost being simple expense.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It also makes sense; it perhaps turns out that Xiaomi is, in the end, first and foremost a phone company, just one that is trying to build an actual moat around an Android-based operating system".

The Guardian - Tech

Opara describes himself as "first and foremost a storyteller".

The Guardian - Arts

Any woman who hopes to achieve damehood with a minimum of inner torment will want to study Joan Collins, whose foremost political acts appear to be her contributions to the Spectator and occasional outbursts against the modern world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Britain's foremost ballerina, Margot Fonteyn, went to France in 1948 to perform with Petit's newly founded company Les Ballets de Paris, and they had a brief but romantic affair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foremost", ensure the context clearly establishes what you are ranking or prioritizing. It is often used to introduce the most significant item in a list or discussion.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "foremost" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "mainly" or "primarily" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "foremost" is to act as an adjective or adverb, modifying a noun or verb to emphasize its importance or position. Ludwig AI shows that it is used to highlight what is most significant or prominent in a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "Foremost" functions as an adjective or adverb to denote primary importance or position. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness, wide range of use in professional content and news articles, and high source quality underline its reliability and proper use. While it's essential to use "Foremost" in correct situations, remember that simpler alternatives can be more fitting in informal contexts. Be aware of the subtleties discussed to use "Foremost" effectively and precisely. Use of this phrase is very common in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Most importantly

Highlights the greatest significance.

Of greatest importance

Emphasizes the highest level of significance.

Primarily

Indicates the main or principal aspect.

Chiefly

Signifies the main or principal element.

Above all

Emphasizes the highest priority or importance.

Principally

Stresses the primary or fundamental nature.

Paramountly

Signifies something that is of utmost importance or superior to all others.

In the first place

Highlights initial or leading position.

At the top of the list

Indicates the highest ranking in a set of priorities.

To begin with

Indicates the starting point or most important consideration.

FAQs

How to use "foremost" in a sentence?

"Foremost" is typically used to highlight the most important element in a series or list. For example, "Foremost among our concerns is the safety of our employees."

What can I say instead of "foremost"?

You can use alternatives like "primarily", "chiefly", or "most importantly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "first and foremost"?

Yes, "first and foremost" is a common and emphatic way to introduce the most important point. It combines two similar phrases to add extra emphasis.

What's the difference between "foremost" and "important"?

"Foremost" implies a ranking or prioritization, indicating the item is at the very top. "Important" simply means something has significance but doesn't necessarily indicate it's the most significant.